| After 20 years of having courses both | | | | |
| accredited and not accredited; we can see | | | | Why do we need accreditation systems anyway? |
| that while accreditation controls how bad a | | | | Is it because our teachers are so incompetent |
| college can get; it also controls how good it | | | | and unethical that they need bureaucrats to |
| can get. | | | | control them. Who then ensures the |
| | | | bureaucrats are competent and ethical though? |
| By definition, accreditation systems are | | | | |
| naturally trying to fit everyone into the | | | | Responses: |
| same box. | | | | |
| | | | Comment from Stephen Eddy Principal of Health |
| The problem is that when you have an ethical | | | | Schools Australia November 2007 |
| and innovative college that is trying to do a | | | | |
| better and more efficient job; the system can | | | | "With regards to the article written by John |
| become very limiting. It takes money that | | | | Mason, I agree 100%. As an R.T.O. we are |
| might otherwise be spent on teaching; and | | | | constantly bombarded with bureaucracy, which |
| redirects that money into bureaucracy. It | | | | severely hampers our ability to adapt course |
| stops rapid changes in courses (in a rapidly | | | | work and be innovative. It also more |
| changing world), and imposes planning and | | | | importantly impedes our quality of material |
| management processes that make it impossible | | | | we teach the students. As Natural Medicine |
| to keep up with the real needs of the world. | | | | changes so rapidly, the burden of the |
| | | | bureaucracy stifles change, which is |
| How much then is accreditation a measure of | | | | essential if we are to improve". |
| what is good? Maybe it is no more than just a | | | | |
| measure of what is not bad. | | | | Comment from Jerry Mintz at Alternative |
| | | | Education Revolution Network |
| I am forever optimistic; but cannot see how | | | | |
| we can approach improved learning while we | | | | "I do agree, John. |
| limit the scope of innovation. | | | | |